Ion generator mounting device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and systems for an ion generator mounting device for application of bipolar ionization to airflow within a conduit, the device includes a housing for mounting to the conduit having an internal panel within the enclosure, and an arm extending from the housing for extension into the conduit and containing at least one opening. At least one coupling for mounting an ion generator to the arm oriented with an axis extending between a pair of electrodes of the ion generator being generally perpendicular to a flow direction of the airflow within the conduit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/268,717 filed on Sep. 19, 2016, which in turn is a continuation ofU.S. Pat. No. 9,478,948 granted on Oct. 25, 2016, which in turn is acontinuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,168,538 granted Oct. 27, 2015, which inturn is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,873,215 issued Oct. 28, 2014,which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 8,564,924issued Oct. 22, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/105,110 filed Oct. 14, 2008 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/221,763 filed Jun. 30, 2009,the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of air treatment,and more particularly to the treatment of air using ionization,including bipolar ionization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air and other fluids are commonly treated and delivered for a variety ofapplications. For example, in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning(HVAC) applications, air may be heated, cooled, humidified,dehumidified, filtered or otherwise treated for delivery intoresidential, commercial or other spaces.

Needs exist for improved systems and methods for mounting ion generatordevices for treating and delivering air for these and otherapplications. It is to the provision of improved mounting devices forsystems and methods meeting these needs that the present invention isprimarily directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ion generatormounting device includes a housing having base, a first and second pairof spaced-apart, opposed sidewalls projecting from the base tocollectively form an interior storage compartment and to define an upperedge, a top portion, at least one opening within the housing and aretention means extending outwardly from the housing.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes an ion generator disposed within theinterior storage compartment.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes an ion generator containing at leastone electrode for dispersing ions from the bipolar ionization generatorthat is disposed within the interior storage compartment, whereby atleast one electrode is disposed adjacent that at least one opening.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes a power supply.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes a switch.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes a retention means disposed on one ofthe sidewalls and extending therefrom.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes an LED disposed on the housing.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes an elongate arm that includes a firstside and a second side, whereby the first side contains at least oneopening and an ion generator with at least one electrode that isdisposed adjacent the second side of the arm, such that the at least oneelectrode is disposed adjacent the at least one opening.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes an elongate arm with a top side and abottom side.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes mountings that engage an iongenerator to the arm.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes electrodes of the ion generator thatare axially aligned with the arm.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes electrical contacts disposed withinthe arm.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes a housing that includes a base, afirst and second pair of spaced-apart, opposed sidewalls projecting fromthe base to collectively form an interior storage compartment and todefine an upper edge, a top portion, and a securing means forselectively securing the top portion to the base.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device for application of ionization to an airflowwithin a conduit, the device includes a housing for mounting to theconduit having an internal panel within the enclosure, an arm extendingfrom the housing for extension into the conduit and containing at leastone opening, and at least one coupling for mounting an ion generator tothe arm oriented with an axis extending between a pair of electrodes ofthe ion generator being generally perpendicular to a flow direction ofthe airflow within the conduit.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes a coupling that comprises electricalcontacts on the arm for delivering power to the at least one iongenerator.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes at least one terminal block forwiring connection to the ion generators via contacts on the arm.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device includes a power converter for convertinginput power to operate the ion generators.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, an iongenerator mounting device that includes at least one electrode that isrecessed within an opening on the arm and below the horizontal plane ofthe external surface of the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with referenceto the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote likemethod steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an arm of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure.It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to thespecific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/orshown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patentsand other publications identified in this specification are incorporatedby reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

The present invention includes a number of ion generator carrier andmounting assemblies for application and control of delivery ofionization to an airflow, including bipolar ionization.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show an exemplary embodiment of an assembly 100 formounting to the exterior of a duct, housing, or other conduit forairflow. The assembly includes a housing 110 or other enclosure, such asfor example a NEMA 4x enclosure or similar configuration, an internalpanel 112 within the housing 110, and an external arm 114 projectingfrom the back side of the housing. The external arm 114 includesmountings and electrical contacts for receiving one or more iongenerators 140 for delivery of bipolar ionization to airflow within aconduit. Alternatively, the arm 114 may be disposed adjacent a coolingcoil. Such ion generator 140 can include the Sterionizer™ device thatmay be purchased from Filt-Air, a Beth-El Group, Israel, and includes apair of electrodes that disperse ions. The mountings securely engage theion generator 140 or ion generators 140 and maintain them in anorientation having their electrodes axially aligned with the arm 114 andgenerally perpendicular to the airflow. The panel 112 optionallycomprises one or more pluggable terminal blocks for wiring connection tothe ion generators 140 via the contacts on the arm 114, a connection forpower input, and one or more indicators such as light emitting diodes(LEDs) to indicate the presence/absence and operational state (on/off,ion output, etc.) of the ion generators 140. Optionally, a powerconverter or transformer is provided in the housing 110 for convertingthe input power to the power required to operate the ion generators 140.One or more connectors are optionally provided for mounting the housing110 to the exterior of a duct or housing, with the arm 114 extendinginto the duct or housing through an opening formed therein. Sealingmeans such as a gasket are optionally provided on the back of thehousing 110 around the arm 114 for sealing around the opening.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show a device 200 according to an alternate embodiment,having a housing 210 with an arm 214 extending therefrom. The length ofthe arm 214 may vary depending on the size of the conduit it is to beapplied to and the number of ion generators to be installed, and inexample embodiments is between 2″-24″, for example about 10″ in length.

The arm 214 is generally elongate and extends outwardly from the housing210 and has a top side, a bottom side, a first side, and a second side.The arm 214 contains at least one opening 244 contained therein in. Thearm 214 includes mountings 248 and electrical contacts 250 for receivingone or more ion generators 240 for delivery of ionization to an airflowwithin the conduit. Such ion generator can include the Sterionizer™device that may be purchased from Filt-Air, a Beth-El Group, Israel, andincludes a pair of electrodes that disperse ions. The mountings 248securely engage the ion generators 240 and maintain them in anorientation having their electrodes axially aligned with the arm 214 andgenerally perpendicular to the airflow. The panel 212 optionallycomprises one or more pluggable terminal blocks for wiring connection tothe ion generators 220 via the contacts on the arm 214, a connection forpower input, and one or more indicators such as LEDs 242 to indicate thepresence/absence and operational state (on/off, ion output, etc.) of theion generators 220. Optionally, a power converter or transformer isprovided in the housing 210 for converting the input power to the powerrequired to operate the ion generators 240. One or more connectors areoptionally provided for mounting the housing 210 to the exterior of aduct or housing, with the arm 214 extending into the duct or housingthrough an opening formed therein. Sealing means such as a gasket areoptionally provided on the back of the housing 210 around the arm 214for sealing around the opening.

The electrodes of the ion generators 240 are placed in close proximityto the opening 220 on the arm 214, thus allowing the ions to dispersethrough the arm 214. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the electrodes arerecessed within the arm 214. In other words, the electrodes of the iongenerators 240 do not break the horizontal plane of the external of thetop side of the arm 214 and are located equal to or beneath thehorizontal plane of the arm 214 for allowing the ions to dispersethrough the openings 244 in the arm 214.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the arm 214 contains two openings244 for each ion generator 220. In another alternative embodiment, theelectrodes of the ion generator 220 may protrude through the openings244 and extend above the horizontal plane of the arm 214. The housing210 includes a base 212 that extends to an outer edge. First and secondpairs of opposed sidewalls 214, 216 extend from the outer edge of thebase 212 to an upper edge 218. The sidewalls 214, 216 each have an innerand outer sidewall surfaces 220, 222. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each ofthe second pair of sidewalls 216 interconnects the first pair ofsidewalls 214 to define corners 224 and an interior storage compartment226. At least one retention member 228 extends from a first or secondsidewall 214, 216 or the base 212. A top portion 230 may be selectivelysecured to the base 212. As illustrated, the top portion 230 is hingedlyconnected to the first or second sidewall 214, 216 and includes a latch246 for selectively securing the top portion 230 to the base 212.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended tobe covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ion generator mounting device, comprising: ahousing comprising: a base, a first and second pair of spaced-apart,opposed sidewalls projecting from the base to collectively form aninterior storage compartment and to define an upper edge; a top portion;and at least one opening within the housing; a retention means extendingoutwardly from the housing; and at least one coupling for mounting theion generator.
 2. The ion generator mounting device of claim 1, furthercomprising an ion generator disposed within the interior storagecompartment.
 3. The ion generator mounting device of claim 1, furthercomprising an ion generator containing at least one electrode fordispersing ions from the ion generator that is disposed within theinterior storage compartment, whereby at least one electrode is disposedadjacent that at least one opening.
 4. The ion generator mounting deviceof claim 1, further comprising a power supply.
 5. The ion generatormounting device of claim 1, further comprising a switch.
 6. The iongenerator mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a retentionmeans disposed on one of the sidewalls and extending therefrom.
 7. Theion generator mounting device of claim 1, further comprising anindicator disposed on the housing.
 8. An ion generator mounting device,comprising: an elongate arm, comprising a first side and a second side,whereby the first side contains at least one opening and an iongenerator with at least one electrode that is disposed adjacent thesecond side of the arm, such that the at least one electrode is disposedadjacent the at least one opening.
 9. The ion generator mounting deviceof claim 8, further comprising an elongate arm with a top side and abottom side.
 10. The ion generator mounting device of claim 8, furthercomprising mountings that engage the ion generator to the arm.
 11. Theion generator mounting device of claim 8, wherein the electrodes of theion generator is axially aligned with the arm.
 12. The ion generatormounting device of claim 8, further comprising electrical contactsdisposed within the arm.
 13. The ion generator device of claim 8,further comprising a housing engaged to the arm.
 14. The ion generatormounting device of claim 8, further comprising a housing comprising: abase, a first and second pair of spaced-apart, opposed sidewallsprojecting from the base to collectively form an interior storagecompartment and to define an upper edge; and a top portion; a securingmeans for selectively securing the top portion to the base.
 15. The iongenerator mounting device of claim 8, further comprising an LED disposedon the device.
 16. An ion generator mounting device for application ofbipolar ionization to an airflow within a conduit, the devicecomprising: a housing for mounting to the conduit having an internalpanel within the enclosure; an arm extending from the housing forextension into the conduit and containing at least one opening; and atleast one coupling for mounting an ion generator to the arm orientedwith an axis extending between a pair of electrodes of the ion generatorbeing generally perpendicular to a flow direction of the airflow withinthe conduit.
 17. The ion generator mounting device of claim 16, whereinthe coupling comprises electrical contacts on the arm for deliveringpower to the at least one ion generator.
 18. The ion generator mountingdevice of claim 16, further comprising at least one terminal block forwiring connection to the ion generator via contacts on the arm.
 19. Theion generator mounting device of claim 16, further comprising a powerconverter for converting input power to operate the ion generator. 20.The ion generator mounting device of claim 16, wherein the ion generatorcontains at least one electrode that is recessed within an opening onthe arm and below the horizontal plane of the external surface of thearm.